Impact of Pesticides on Farmer's Health of Western Odisha
Abstract
Agriculture is the basic need of human being to survive. Increase in human population, increases the food production. Largest areas are under rice cultivation. Rice plants were prone to attack by insect and pes t. So, for its survival use of pesticide is necessary, but this had lead risk behaviour among rice farmers. The study was based on the farmers of Bargarh and Sundargarh District of Odisha regarding pesticide usage condition .100 farmers were interviewed from both the district, using questionnaire methods from February to April 2015. A questionnaire survey on personal history regarding agricultural labour, pesticide use and health history was conducted. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of quantitative data. The most frequently used pesticides included organophosphates, carbamates. 2 -3 times pesticide was applied after 15 days, after 1 month and also before the production time. Demographic data shows 87 respondents were male farmers rests were female farmers out of 100 respondents. Only 85 respondents were using sprayer for spraying pesticides out of 100 but 36 respondents were only using protective covers. 12 farmers only follow the instruction given on the pesticide container. 33 respondents have the knowledge of colour coding present in the pesticide bottle. Health symptom showed less frequently, in farmers using protective covers. Out of 100 respondents 58 had skin contact, 12 respondents suffer from eye irritation, and 2 8 respondents feel drowsiness after strong smell of pesticides while 31 farmers suffer from headache. Major factors of pesticide poisoning are due to lack of attention to safety precautions and lack of training before using of pesticide. So, training programme is necessary to improve safer pesticide behaviours, create more awareness among the farmers and also introduction of using bio pesticide instead of using pesticide.
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Introduction
Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. 70% of people is engaged in farm sector directly or indirectly. There is rise in Indian population, which needs farm produce. So, in recent years the importance of sustainable agriculture has risen to become one of the most important issues in agriculture. In order to increase the production, addition of plant diseases and attack of insect pest continue to play a major limiting role in agriculture production. For controlling of this plant diseases and attack of insect pest, regular use of pesticides raises which leads to health impact. Pesticides are destroying the health and beauty of biosphere. The use of toxic pesticides to manage pest problems has become a common practice around the world. Pesticides are designed to kill and because their mode of action is not specific to one species, they often kill or harm organisms other than pests, including humans.
Pesticides have been linked to a wide range of human health hazards, ranging from short-term impacts such as headaches and nausea to chronic impacts like cancer, reproductive harm, endocrine disruption and nervous system (Alavanja et al.2004; Blondell et al.2007; Calvert 2008; Keifer et al.2007; MOPH 2009; Klein-Schwartz et al.1997; Weisenburger et al.1992; Winchester et al.1993; Robson et al. 2001). A July 2007 study conducted by researchers at the Public Health Institute, the California Department of Health Services, and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health found a sixfold increase in risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for children of women who were exposed to organochlorine pesticides. In February 2009, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry published a study that found that children who live in homes where their parents use pesticides are twice as likely to develop brain cancer versus those that live in residences in which no pesticides are used. Use of large amounts of pesticides has raised human health and environmental concerns (Hemmi & cool 1995). Siriwong et al. (2008) found ecological risk and contamination of human food sources from Organochlorines in this area. Over the past three decades, the indiscriminate use and improper handling of pesticides in agriculture have caused serious human health problems in many developing countries (Dasgupta et al. 2007). Incorrect dosage, incorrect timing and targeting, poorly maintained equipment, mixing with bare hands, lack of personal protective equipments and lack of hygienic precautions during and when spraying may result in acute poisoning (Abate et al. 2000). Approximately 2,20,000 workers die from pesticide exposure every year with the majority of deaths occurring in developing countries (WHO 1990; Rosenstock et al. 1990; Pimental et al. 1992).
HAZARD = Toxicity x Exposure
Conclusion
The use of WHO class II grades pesticides and those of lower toxicity is seen in combination with inadequate knowledge and practices among the farmers and also lack of training for using pesticides. These pose a danger of acute intoxications, chronic health problems and environmental pollution. So, the findings after the questionnaire aim at improving pesticide safety behaviours and reducing pesticide exposure in farmers. Most of the research studies were carried on using of bio pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) but farmers don’t have any knowledge of using it. So, bio pesticide and IPM should be used for having a safe environment and healthy life.